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The Non-GMO Project: The American way to create freedom of choice
Success story of the "Non-GMO" label
When the first genetically modified (GM) foods hit the shelves in the States, there was nationwide protest and a strong grassroots movement for "Just label it" labelling and "Right to know" freedom of choice. This gave rise to the Non-GMO Project. It was officially founded in 2007 and launched the first "Non-GMO" products labelled with the "Butterfly Label" (a stylised butterfly with the words Non-GMO Project) in 2010. Erin Auld and Pauline Lauvin from the Non-GMO Project backed up the success story with impressive figures: Over 63,000 products now carry the "Non-GMO" label and generate an annual turnover of around 45.7 billion dollars. According to surveys, more than a third of consumers consider GMO-free food to be even more important than organic, fairtrade or vegetarian products, for example.
Monitoring and testing ensure absence of GMO
GMO products are widespread in the USA and on sale everywhere. The Non-GMO Project closely monitors known risk ingredients, carries out tests in case of suspicion and excludes GM-containing raw materials from the "Non-GMO" value chain. This has worked very well so far, explained the representatives of the Non-GMO Project. However, the guests from the USA reported that the introduction of new genetic engineering (NGT) is making it more difficult to verify and guarantee GMO-free status due to the lack of valid test methods and the increasing diversification of GM plants. They were in favour of international exchange and increased cooperation between stakeholders with an interest in GMO-free agriculture and food production.
Presentation of the Non-GMO Project